Dear Meditator,

No doubt you've noticed the chill in the air. I love this time of year - not least because it gives me a real excuse to retreat indoors - to find a warm fire or blanket - and to enjoy the snug feeling a wintry meditation can bring.

Good news if you've been waiting for a CBD course. We have a venue for our June/July term, which starts in a couple of weeks.

And due to popular demand, we have our second Meditation Teacher Training course due to commence on June 18.

There are also a variety of new drop-in opportunities to meditate due to start over coming months. Check out the Forthcoming Events section for further info.

In This Issue...

• Spot Meditation
• Forthcoming Events
• Recommended Website
• Course Schedule
• Meditation Tip

Spot Meditation

Are you too busy and stressed-out to meditate? Read no further. Here's a meditation you can do NOW, in less than 60 seconds.

For the next minute recite this simple phrase from meditation master Thich Nhat Hanh: "Breathing in I calm my body. Breathing out I smile." (Or shorten it to, "In, calming. Out, smile.") If you like, focus on the smile itself.

How and where do you meditate when you've only got a minute? Send your own spot meditations to matt@melbournemeditationcentre.com.au

The best suggestion each month will be published here.

Forthcoming Events

balance

balance is a new monthly meditation group which aims to relax and inspire by exploring meditations that open the senses, soften the pace of life and appeal to all — from beginner to advanced; exploring methods such as movement, sense, sound and guided sessions by guest meditators and artists.

This month enjoy meditations by Matt Young (that's me!), who’ll guide you into deep relaxation through body, breath and sound; and Garth Stone (Onevibration Meditations) who’ll lead you on a journey into the self through the use of drums, didjeridu’s, crystal singing bowls and atmospheric special effects.

Simply Silence

A relaxed, friendly group meeting on the first and third Thursdays of the month in North Melbourne. Get along, make some new friends and enjoy guided meditations from a variety of teachers. www.simplysilence.org

A Simply Silence group is due to start in East Bentleigh within a month or so.

Want to see your meditation event listed here? Email matt@melbournemeditationcentre.com.au with details.

Recommended Website

Lorin Roche, described as "probably the friendliest meditation teacher in America" is one of my favourite meditation authors and instructors. His "zesty life-affirming approach to meditation" is a breath of fresh air amongst all the hackneyed platitudes which so often pass for meditation instruction. And now, he's kindly made availalbe an online version of his wonderful book Meditation 24/7. Learn how to enjoy the simple meditative pleasures of life at http://meditation24-7.com

Course Schedule

You can register online for any of the following classes. Note that most courses book out a week or so before they're due to start.

Term 3 June/July

Term 4 August/September

*To be confirmed.

Note: We're still searching for a permanent venue in the CBD. The venue needs to seat 20 people comfortably and be available on Thursday afternoons from 5.30 - 7.00pm.  We're looking for a nice convenient, central location and reasonable rent. If your workplace has a suitable space, or you know of a venue that might be appropriate please email matt@melbournemeditationcentre.com.au with your suggestion. Thanks!

Meditation Tip - Try Not To Force Things Too Much

Often, when meditating, we try too hard to force a certain state of mind that we think we should have. We try hard to suppress thoughts, for example. This is just another thought, of course, and another obstacle to the peaceful state we are hoping for.

So how do you make things happen that can't be forced? The question itself shows the need for another perspective. Some things can't be forced to happen, and all struggles to do so only take you farther away. There are times when all you can do is prepare and wait.

The Dinner Invitation

Imagine a wonderful evening with new friends. You prepared dinner, bought a good bottle of wine, and cleaned the house. Now the guests are here, the conversation is great, and you are happy. Can you make this happen? Yes and no.

You can prepare in every way to make it a pleasant event, but in the end, the guests can decline your invitation, or not arrive, or show up late, right? You can't force them to come, or if you try, you'll ruin the atmosphere or even the friendship.

That is how meditation is, too. You do what is necessary to prepare for a good experience, but in the end, you can't force it. Work and discipline help, just like cleaning up and chilling the wine are necessary to prepare for a good dinner party, but there is no forcing the result. When the experience is a good one, enjoy it, but if it doesn't happen, just prepare again.

So when you want to invite inspiration into your meditation, or into your life, don't try to push the guest through the door. When you are tempted to do so, turn back to your preparations, and concentrate on that. Just send out the invitations, prepare yourself, and relax.

Know someone who could chill out?

Do you have friends who are perpetually stressed or anxious, have trouble sleeping or could just do with learning how to relax? Do them a favour and forward this email to them. (Or if this is you, subscribe here.)